Don't You Want to Thank Someone Psalm 147
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Song… Hey you - Praise the Lord, I mean it you all priase the Lord right now - Hallelulah - funny story Rich Mullins concert - big guy - didn't know I am learning Hebrew - not singing a cute chorus - but in an assembly that I feel was like on great plain where all will acknowledge and bend the knee - saying with the great assembly - PRAISE JAH - Jehvah , Covenant God Yaheweh …
Don't You Want to Thank Someone!
Hey you - Praise the Lord, I mean it you all priase the Lord right now - Hallelulah - funny story Rich Mullins concert - big guy - didn't know I am learning Hebrew - not singing a cute chorus - but in an assembly that I feel was like on great plain where all will acknowledge and bend the knee - saying with the great assembly - PRAISE JAH - Jehvah , Covenant God Yaheweh …
What right do I have to do that? Colson - what right to judge, what right to command my - - jesus suffered it all, redeemed us - redeemes suffering - heals wounds - experience that - experience warped nature , world restored - can help but give halleleluhaj. Realize it is reaching the point of the Psalms, the point of our lives!
Two Incomplete Options - also if haphazzard approach to book , what lost without last 5!
Lenard Coen: Broken-Hallelujah - broken - experience of human love - ends up empty and hollow… David and Bathseba, Deliliah and Sampson… yet must sing one… ache…
Sampson… yet must sing one… ache…
Same with Amy Grant singing "Better than a Hallelujah" pain of divorce, artificial music industry - sanitized view of the Bible and as Rich Mullins,… outside squeaky clean - but just push into hiding… better than a hallelujah…
Just like Coen's songs ends up saying …still got to sing a hallellujah somehow; just like Amy Grant - heard song when trying to be a mom, friend died of ovarian cancer, put mom and dad into assisted living after severe decline in mon's health - dear friend in alc/drug recovery - coffee - moved her in "truth of coming to God with honesty and brokenness"
But I have shown you - God's people push further through the songs of borkennes portest, battle and war - shape of the Psalter - not just vicotyr - but pure praise - but won every bit as honest and what is missing in those twwo modern is what you need so much - to see PRIASING FOR GRACE because of two themes of Psalm's God's Word and God's Prince , His Son, God's King, the Messiah - crtetian to heal and order and bring us to place - experience goodness of the LORD - in His commuity, accomplishing His purposes - expeirnece and assurdd of that future hope = Halllelujah from a different spot!
Children's catechism: Glorify God and enjoy him forever!
Matthew Henry writes: ‘Praising God is work that is its own wages; it is heaven upon earth; it is what we should be in as in our element.… In giving honour to God we really do ourselves a great deal of honour.’
Key Truth: Give God your corporate and personal Hallelujah!
A. The Rebuilding Context, start4eed us off with that the only song - Enitlted a Praise… tehellim - formulae - but reach goal of psalm and life - when crystalized into your hallelujah!
Tone of return of Israel from Babylon =restoration period of Ezra and Nehemiah, 147-150
Review context: Ezra and about 2000 exiles return, mostly out of the family of Levites (458BC) , 13 years later Nehemiah. Could be prophets Haggai and Zechariah after the temple was rebuilt!
Ezra restores the Mosaic Law in nation, Nehemiah the building of the city, walls and gates! Ch 12:27-45 Nehemiah's own handn notes…
After having been back in Susa get winds of slanderous reports that reached court of Persia. Neheiah neturalizes those reports - in second stay in Jersualem apooint feast of deication of walls. = Levite musicians who had settled down for th most part round about Jersualem, now summoned to appear in Jersualem .. Priests and Levites purified, the purified people, gates, walls, bones of dead
Next the princes of Judah, the priests, and the Levite musciians were placed in the west of the city in two great choirs and processions, one festal choir …one festal choir led by priences … and Ezra with priets march the other way and met on the east side of the city…where drew up in the Temple …festival sacrfices were offered amdist music and shouts of joy! Not support for all 3 Pslams for this occasion, but Psalm 147 composed in time of Nehemiah by priests with reference to this feast of dedication is likely…
Sturcture: 1-11. 12-20. Show progression in buiding walls, , in respect of circumstances of weather, from which poet praises God
Part 1 = 1 composed on appearing of November rain
Part 2 = 2 in the midst of the rainy part of winter, when the mild spring breezes and a thaw were already in prospect!
Part 1: Growing Season -Rebuilding A People of Praise
v.1 Hallelujah - why sing to our God, celebrate God in song = discharge of duty that reacts healthfully and beneificially on ourselves… = great end of man's creation and redemption!
Cf. humans as slaves to gods… he wants us to delight in His goodness and love!
God is full of glory - can't add to his wisdom, power, love… but somehow myserty that we can add to God's glory… only return you can really make for all theswe mercies in creation and in redemption!
What remains for us is - sacrfice of thanksgiving = praises that are offspring of gratitude and expression of love .
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Hebrews 13:15
Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
And fitting, comely =fitting for God … own reward in this life and the taste of heaven!
Praise is fitting and seemly - not because sounds so nice, not because God is listening to your voice - as much as he is listenting to your heart; not the tongue but the life of him that praiseth - in this sense - get this hallelujah - doesn't cease at church - but the fruit of lips who praise him - praise in every part of life = whether you eat or drink all to the glory of God
Ask yourself tonight - is my praise pleasant to God!
Marva Dawn: Reaching Out without Dumbing Down: I will celebrate, sing unto the Lord, I will sing to God a new song. I will praise God, I will sing to God a new song. " Think of this as a rpaise chorus - but she says:
"The verbs say I will, but in this song, I don't. Because though God is mentioned as the recipient of my praise and ising , the song never says a single thing about or to God. - need more like Shakespeare - how I love, thee let me count the ways, A-Z acrostics like Psalm 145… j 28x I that song … not God = self-absortion, narcistic…
Psalm 147, uses God, he 14x and LORD 8x = psalm is about God not ourselves = model
How he builds up Jerusalem - early spring rains… preparing creation, but also His people… dry earth
v.2 If written for rebuildilng of earthly city, the ideas are to be transferred as in other Psalms of the same kind, to a more important restoration from a much worse captivity - building up of a people changed by gospel of Jesus
= gathers the outcasts = God sent his Son to the captives, in captvity - God says take a bag iwththe price of captivity in it = put on Him mortal flesh, and therein with Blood - rdeemed by giving Himself up for us… RESTORED EVEERy FALLEN PART back to being His Jerusalem…
and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. John 11:52
See gathering the dispersed into the Hand of master Builder, and fashioining each living stone, you and me, into a catherderal made of people!
Happening now … and on last day =
And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:31
= build up a Jerusalem in which we will praise Him forever
v.3 imagine growing up in Babylon and hearing of the wonders of Jerusalem, songs of Zion - keep hope alive, and then out of ruins imagine building - and complete - start to sing = imagine being a Jew in concentration camp - then resettle in Israel - desert becomes a paradise…
This is the modus operandi, not aa one time thing, but how God consistently and covenantly promised to act
= this is how God gathers, why he gathers =
Christ is about this enterprise with you and me = holocaust of sin in this world -=
Christ is about this enterprise with you and me = holocaust of sin in this world -=
Bind up the broken heart =
Do you have a broken heart? Doesn't want mere form of worship - heart of it =
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
That borken, contrite heart - bruised by sin ; not puffed up hiding sin, dealing with it excusingminisimzing ignoring - but take it to h9m - desriign Christ to make your heart right again!
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, Luke 4:18
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
Put a new song in mouth of pentitent restored to holy city and house of his heavenly father
Earthly Jerusalem had wounded walls, breaches and holes, but you and I NT temple, Zion on earth we have breaches in our heart and minds and in our bodies … God shall heal every single last one of them = translate us through death from our Babylon to Jersualem!
v.4 The Therapy of the Stars! = God not onluy number, beyond our capaacity - so great the gospel!
but perosnally name, know each one!
Therefore has the power to heal your borken heart, your wound, to lift you Humble one up!
Do you doubt that he can do this with your broken heart? - easy and small matter for He who allots a number to stars that to us are innumerable.. Calls to them by name = names them all by names that meet their true nature … he knows you … Is 40:26 because of his greatness of might and as being strong in power - not one ins missing!
What a comfort for us individually, but for a besieged church in this world - our story is the work of God's rich undertaqnding
Way he calleth the stars, find you call you to shine …. In cheerfulness to shine your light
Jesus says give your hallelujah - not because things goiong so well in life, prupose, power, … no:
Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
v.5 = conclusion = great power of God overcomes all difficulties to effect salvation of his people
Romans 11 Doxology - Who can number, weigh, measurewhat god does or who He is = surpasses our calculators, computers… blows away Google - as feel = hush human copmrehension = partake in wonder and awe!
v.6 all God's dispensionation to lift up humble, meek, ppor; punish the proud, impentitent, unbelieving and disobedient - rank yourself in one of two groups expect judgment or MERCY
Vv.7-9 Praise God for animal world, good in itself; but also emblem of God's care for us - assurance… Heb 13:4 Josh 1.5, I will never leave nor forsake thee!
Feeds young unclean Raven! Will he in day of dearth and calamity forsake the meek harmless dove! Therefore meek suffering servant need only ask Job's question:
"Who provides for the raven his food?" Lesser to greater… are you not much more worth than these! "Consdier the ravens!"
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
10-11 No matter how weak or beset his church may be, no matter how strong our enemies… we may rest secure… one equal to them to save by many or few - victory of pomp and pride of carnal strength--no victory ultimately goes only to those who fear and hope in his mercy! = 1 John 5:4 faith is the victory - overcoming faith!!
Remarkable, some are weaker and stronger, but as a father takes pleasure in his own children, so the Lord take solace in his own beloved ones, whose marks of new birth and FEAR and HOPE = they fear for they ar sinners, the hope for God is merciful! They fear him for he is great, the hope in Him for He is Good! CHS Patience and fear are the fences of hope…
We are the young ravens, in our weakness - better to confess, vs. the rpide = power a horse… we use distinctions to elevate some put down others… God doesn't work that way - worldly didstinctions matter not… raven CALLING on Lord, people truly fear and trust in steadfast love = really saying, tabernacle of man matters not, get intot he tabernacle of God =
For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Part II: The Rebuilt People of Praise in the Eternal Spring
Start again - for winter into Spring Time!… start again in city Jerusalem…PEOPLE OF GOD AS JERUSALEM must PRAISE = think of armies of the LORD send choir first, around the walls of the city = unsuall kingdom, people is this? Toil and groaning will flee away - obtain gladness = what do you want to do with new city - plow and sow, plant vines, make voyages or trade… your duty to do these works for praise of God! Now too - any hungry, thristy cupo f cold water, in mercy and love fame of Jesus … any dying .. Any in strife - you seek to reconcile = this is the city of God!
Vv. 12-14 = -2 church like jerusalem of old, erected, and preserved by wisdom and power and goodness of God
= church called to praise for all the benefits and blessing vouchsafed to them!
Blessings = increase of her children = physical and spiritual… ; Peace granted whole time we are below here -within her gates = no matter what you go through in life - BALM in Gilead =
v.14b what is this no lack - fills with proclaimers of Word - friends family, pastors, elders teachers = why to fill those who hunger and thirst after righteousness!
How her borders and bars of her gates stengthend = secure the possession of all comforts, perfect and indefeatable = How much more so with Christ as foundation = gates of hell shall not prevail!
But now watch - in first stanza saw how his unsearchable wisdom calls out starrs, and humblest brokenweharted, wounded saint… feed ravens … eye on you and me…
But now watch as appleid to church = not just great city, provided by by the LORD… but watch what Hiis Word does, analogy with nature but in His poeople's lives is now the focus!
= wonders of nature represent to us the miracles of grace = changing of the seasons alter the world = how God alters the seasons of the church = like sun hiding face vs. sun reviving world making all things in her light rejoice!
Spring attends sun's course, all things revive at Spring's approach - winter and frost lag behind… nature grows deformed and sickens at Sun's departure… = Narnia = forever winter and never Christmas…
What the sun is to the world, Christ is to the church = when heart of man turns away from Chriwst and you deprive yourself of his gracious illumination = ignornance and dakrness falls on you - what happens to a tree not in the light = PRODUCTION FAILS…
How can you tell if that is happening in a church = love many grows cold = why "fertilizing streams of charity are frozen to the bottom!
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12
v.17 crystals and snow and frost - hardened hearts of men, But He will thaw the hardness of this ice… He will blow on you! Paul says who willave me from this body of death = The Grace of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 7-8
vs. Christ walking among the candle sticks in Book of Revelation
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. Revelation 2:1
How? Look at image of book - out of mouth of Lamb =
In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. Revelation 1:16
In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
sword - book, word of God -either slay in judgment or come in salvation!
= v. 18
He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.
He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow. Psalm 147:18
= sends manna from heaven, his Son the lviing manna …bread… HIS WORD RUNS SWITFTLY = 15
Waters made to flow again = faith revives, and shoots into vigour, and beauty and fruitlness = hearts of man are warmed and their understandings illuminated!
= experiential Calvinism = Spirit without the word blow up, word without Spirit dry up, Word iwtht he Spirit grow up!
Vv.19-20 That Word was shown unto Jacob = remarkable grace; but listen it became the property of Israel = the body of bleievers … Jacob wrestled with God, humbled limps … wounded heart healed… made Israel = seeing God!
Do you own the Bible = is it your inheritance = what distinguishes this people from all - people of the book, book revelas Messiah who truly reveals God and ho9w made won - - this book is how we are made alive to trust =
since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 1 Peter 1:23
= makes us people who praise the Lord!
John Wesley:
I have thought, I am a creature of a day, passing through life as an arrow through the air. I am a spirit come from God, and returning to God: just hovering over the great gulf; till, a few moments hence, I am no more seen; I drop into an unchangeable eternity! I want to know one thing the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God Himself has condescended to teach the way; for this very end He came from heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me that book! At any price, give me the book of God! I have it: here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be "homo unius libri."
Here then I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone: only God is here. In His presence I open, I read His book; for this end, to find the way to heaven. Is there a doubt concerning the meaning of what I read? Does anything appear dark or intricate? I lift up my heart to the Father of Lights: "Lord, is it not Thy word, 'If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God'? Thou 'givest liberally, and upbraidest not.' Thou hast said, 'If any be willing to do Thy will, he shall know.' I am willing to do, let me know, Thy will. '
From <http://exiledpreacher.blogspot.ca/2006/03/john-wesley-on-bible-o-give-me-that.html>